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Pembroke Dock paedophile 'rubbed his groin as he watched child on beach'

A paedophile from Pembroke Dock “incapable of changing” has been jailed for two years for twice breaking a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Barry William Hollingsworth, aged 72, told police he could not control his behaviour.

Hollingsworth, of Old Coronation School, Meyrick Street, was punished by the courts in 1984, 1989, 2004 and 2009 for indecent exposure, indecent assault on a girl aged under 14 and possessing indecent images of children.

Swansea crown court heard on Friday that on the last occasion Hollingsworth was made the subject of a SOPO, which banned him from going near children.

Janet Gedrych, prosecuting, said on July 19 Hollingsworth was seen following a group of schoolchildren at Heatherton Park.

He seemed to pay particular attention to one young child and staff alerted the park manager.

Hollingsworth returned to the park a week later and the manager called the police.

He was arrested for breaching the SOPO and told officers, “I know I’m not supposed to be here but I am.”

Miss Gedrych said police decided to keep Hollingsworth under surveillance and followed him as he took a train to Penally.

From there he walked to a nearby beach and placed a towel close to where a girl of about six years of age was playing.

Officers secretly filmed him as he appeared to rub his groin area.

Police became so concerned they broke off the surveillance and arrested him.

Hollingsworth told them he could not live by the conditions of the SOPO. He said he received sexual gratification by looking at the girl and fantasising.about her.

He admitted both breaches.

His barrister, Paul Hobson, said he had not actually touched any of the children.

Judge Keith Thomas said Hollingsworth had been through “the entire court system” and had completed various prison sentences and courses and counselling sessions.

“He finds it impossible to overcome his sexual urges but nothing deters him.

“He is incapable of changing and he represents a high risk of causing harm to children.

“It is frightening and disturbing and these matters cause great concern,” added the judge.

Hollingsworth was reminded that he was still under the SOPO and would be on the child sex offences register for life.